• ‘Witness made statement after charges were filed’ • Senate president says prosecution won’t affect legislative business
Mr. Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) had hard words for senators yesterday. He declared that the Senate was not on trial before the CCT, therefore the lawmakers had no reason being in court daily. Umar consequently asked them to stay back at the Senate and conduct their constitutional duties.

Umar who spoke against the backdrop of the request by the counsel to the Senate President, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) for an adjournment to enable to senators sit, noted that it was the personality of the accused, who happened to be the Senate president who was on trial and not the entire Senate.

Earlier, objecting to Agabi’s request, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said it was shameful and disgraceful to the nation that the senators were in court as according to him, they were not parties and as such, not needed to be in court.

“The Senate is not on trial. The senators should sit down and do their work. They don’t need to be here. It is shameful and disgrace to the nation”.

But Senate President Bukola Saraki said that his trial would not disturb the activities of the Senate. Saraki said that the trial proper had commenced and the Senate was in session and that he would not want the prosecution to affect legislative business.
“I am the one on trial not the Senate. Even though I have been overwhelmed by the solidarity displayed by my colleagues, it is important that the work of the Senate is not unduly affected by this process, “ he said.

In a statement by ‎the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President‎, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki was said to have affirmed that the legislative body being an institution, would not be affected by the absence of any of the principals.

At the resumed hearing, the CCT had till 12 noon to enable Jacobs return from the Appeal Court. Gabriel Esegine, who held brief for the prosecution team told the tribunal that Jacobs had requested him to ask for one hour stand-down to enable him to round off his activities at the Court of Appeal.

But Umar demanded to know the reason the application was not made earlier and Esegine explained that the hearing notice came only on Friday.
Umar, who was not impressed with the request initially said the tribunal would not wait for anybody. Citing Sections 376 and 315 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he said that the trial of the defendant shall proceed on a daily basis until the completion of the trial. According to him, it shall hold between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

“The court is here to provide justice to everybody. I am going to say this for the information of the prosecution and the witness that hearing in this matter will be day by day beginning from 10: am to 6:00 p.m. each day. When it is 1:00 p.m., there would be 15 minutes break and by 4:00 p.m., there would be another recess of 15 minutes.”

At this point, Agabi intervened . He told the court that he was joining the prosecution counsel in making the appeal for one hour stand- down. “I understand their application even though they never understood mine”, Agabi said.

Consequently, the chairman stood down the case for one hour but warned that the court would not give a minute beyond the requested one hour.
“I hereby adjourn this matter till 12 noon”, he said.

When the trial resumed by 12 noon, the prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas told the tribunal that the property at No. 15 Mcdonald, Ikoyi, Lagos, was bought from the Presidential Implementation Committee for the Sales of Government Houses in the name of one of Saraki’s companies, Tiny Tee Limited.

He added, however, that in the Assets Declaration Form filled in by the defendant, he had rather declared the property at No. 15a and 15b, McDonald, Ikoyi, as his own.

“When we wrote to the Presidential Committee to verify the property, they responded that from their records, the property is No. 15, McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos and another one, Block 15, Plot 1 to 4, MacDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos were the properties they had in respect to Mcdonald, Ikoyi”.

On how Tiny Tee paid for the property, the witness said that 75 per cent payment of that property, which amounted to N123,750,000, was paid through the account of Skyview Property Limited domiciled in Access Bank, then Intercontinental Bank. “The company was one of the companies declared by the defendant”, he said.“Payment of the property was partly from Guarantee Trust Bank account of Carlisle Property and Investment Limited”.

Concerning the property at No. 17, Mcdonald, Ikoyi, the prosecution tendered drafts totaling N256,300,000, which he told the tribunal were payments for a property at No. 17, McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to him, there was a draft for N12,815,000 as payment of the property.There was another draft for the total of N24,090,000 broken down into two.

The sum of N20 million was from Zenith Bank account of Carlisle Property and Investment Limited while N4,090,000 was from Carlisle Property and Investment Limited account with GTB. Both were part- payments of the said property at No. 17, Mcdonald, Ikoyi, Lagos.

There was also another draft for N180,675,000 dated April 3, 2007 from Saraki’s personal account with GTB, also part-payment for the property at 17, Mcdonald, Ikoyi.

Another draft for N36,135,000 dated January 10, 2007 and cleared in the name of Carlisle Limited account with GTB, was also part- payment for the property at No.17 Mcdonald

A draft for N12,045,000, dated January 10, 2007 was also drawn from the account of Carlisle Property Limited with GTB being part -payment for No. 17, Mcdonald, Ikoyi.

So far, about 43 exhibits have been tendered including cheques, bank statements, bank drafts and letters of identification. There were also bank opening mandates.

Answering questions from the prosecution, the witness said the policy of the Presidential Implementation Committee for the Sales of Government Houses was that one could not acquire more than one property from the scheme.

However, findings of the investigative team revealed that the defendant acquired up to three properties from the scheme, using both company and personal names.

“For instance, while properties at No. 17 and 17a MacDonald, Ikoyi, were acquired in his personal names, that of No. 15 Mcdonald, Ikoyi, was acquired in the name of Tiny Tee Limited, a company linked to him.”

The witness also told the court that he did not see Plot 2481 and 2482, Zone AO6, Maitama, otherwise known as Nos. 1 and 3, Togas Street, Maitama, which the defendant said he bought from two different persons, in the 2003 Assets Declaration Form.

The witness disclosed that while Plot 2481 was purchased from one Attahiru Adamu, which was registered in the Land Administration Department of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as Plot No. BO 792, Plot 2482 was bought from one Mr. David Baba Akwau and registered in the department of land administration, FCT as Plot No. MCT 230.

He also revealed that a loan facility of N375 million obtained by Saraki from GTB for the purchase of a house in London was not declared in the Assets Declaration Form, 2011. The loan was granted on February 10, 2010.

Giving evidence on Saraki’s income from some of his assets, the witness said that a list containing properties belonging to him, which was obtained during the execution of a search warrant, revealed that each of the properties at the Ruston Garden, Ikoyi, which is divided into nine sub-units, yields N14 million per annum, making a total of N126 million a year while the property at No. 37 Glover Road yields N5.5 million per annum.

He further revealed that the promoters of Tiny Tee Limited as at October 1993 were Mrs. Ojuolape Ojora, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Chief Adekunle Ojora and Dr. Bukola Saraki.

The witness told the tribunal that the wife of the defendant, Oluwatoyin Saraki, was invited in the course of investigation but “she however said she does not participate in the activities and disbursement from the accounts.”

Under cross examination, however, Agabi reminded the witness that at the conclusion of his investigation, he made a statement that formed proof of evidence and in that statement there was no mention of the petition from Kwara Freedom Network.

“In fact, there was no reference whatsoever in your statement to any petition”, Agabi said.In his response, the witness admitted that he did not mention the petition but that he mentioned an intelligence report.
Agabi also told him that 80 per cent of his testimony was not reflected in his statement. His response was that the statement was only a summary of the investigation conducted.

But the defence counsel reminded him that the usual practice was for the statement of investigator to be made before the commencement of trial.
The witness , however, answered that “it was the prosecutor who said I should make the statement. He directed I should make a statement on the summary of my investigation”.

Agabi also reminded him that his statement was made over one month after the charge was filed.“I was not aware of when the charge was filed”, the witness responded.According to Agabi, the charge was filed on September 14, 2015 while the statement was made on October 30, 2015.

Agabi also asked the witness if he conducted a forensic audit of the account of the government of Kwara State. But he answered that he was not an accountant and as such, he could not have done so.

On whether he ever received any petition from Kwara State regarding missing fund, he answered in the negative ,that he acted on an intelligence report.He also denied investigating Kwara State Pension Scheme and as such, did not know the pension entitlement of the defendant.

At this time, Agabi told the tribunal that the defence team had a report from Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) that the Kwara Freedom Network was non-existent. The trial continues today at 12 noon.

To enable commenting and other interactive features, please switch to the more advanced .

bangiso mhlabeni

Danladi Umar is one of the biggest thief in Nigeria. Buhari will never be a good man.Shame on him.

Gideons

Freedom of speech does not say, you should be talking rubbish, how was the tribunal chairman was one of the biggest thief, and what and what had he stolen. Prove to us how Mr president will never be a good man. Foolish man

Jacob

Gideons :
Very stupid and silly comment from (bangiso mhlabeni)
I feel people should talk on this forum when there is need for it not an emotional outburst from a frustrated mind
God bless you my brother

Omoolowu

Your brain was taken away from your skull, and kept in a bank vault by your mother.
You’re too smart!

Marcus Ijele

Your mouth stinks. You lack decorum. Very abject like your masters Buhari and Danladi. How could you take on a man who does nothing to you on insults and abuses? Is that how you were groomed? Is Danladi not a thief? Tell me why the law should protect one thief and tends to kill the other?

Femi

Whats your own if one thief is killed and the other escape, abi are you also a thief?

Marcus Ijele

Danladi has not escaped. He is in Buhari’s room hiding. Yes, I be thief, are you ok with that?

Jacob

Marcus Ijele :
Very stupid comment from your demented mind.
Your contribution on this forum is useless and has no meaning

Marcus Ijele

Yes, till you have a self re-apraisal, it will mean nothing to you. You are neither read nor lettered, just null and void,empty and irrelevant.

Artful ºDodger

Igbo evil child

Nigeria4u

You are a trouble maker, evil that does not like unity of Nigeria

Paul Graham

He is not Igbo please!

vic

and that evil child will eat you!!

Gabriel

You lack integrity,so wrote like illiterate.If Danladi Umar is a thief,what are you? you are working for your pay master..you are the corruption that is fighting back..Danladi Umar is a man of integrity..should the senate abscond their duty/sitting because a senate president is on trial?

Square

You are on Saraki’s payroll. you shall perish with him. Sha Allahu

vic

i am promised 120 million for my support for saraki. i am mulling the offer.

Fada4Life

PROVE IT

Mr Wise

Nawa for you sha

Jacob

bangiso mhlabeni :
You are the biggest fool.Why are you making stupid statement without any fact and evidence..
Your statement is from your demented mind and you need to examine your state of mind.
You are speaking without using your brain to think.
You are using your head to walk instead of your legs.
Any discerning mind on this forum will never take you serious because you have turned yourself to a laughing stock and object of ridicule.
Wake up and think straight
Be wise

lookolook

Foolish accusations with no iota of proof or truth. Useless talk from a useless busy-body.

vic

NO, HE IS NOT, HE IS ONLY DISCHARGING HIS LAWFUL DUTY.

Ify Onabu

When Senators choose to abandon their work, trooping to the CCT in solidarity with a man accused of an offence… does that not show the depth of depravity in the land? Nigeria is doomed with this kind of 419 leadership.

salele

Nigeria is not doomed because the house cleaning has just started. Stand firm if you can because it is everyone’s responsibility. Not just the people at the top prosecuting this fight.

omoagbala60

Saraki and other corrupt senators are still of the mindset that Joe and OBJ are in power, fa..fa..fa ..foul.Nigerians are now in power and closely monitoring the proceedings. It will down on them when heavy sentence is handed down. This is not laughing matter at all. One of the corrupt senator was stoned in Bauchi. Watch, wait and see what Nigerian youths will do to all these individuals being mentioned in all these cases. Arabs spring will be a child’s play compared to whats these bastards will face in their communities. PMB has set them up by exposing their atrocities. The judgement will be swift, shocking and awful. Just watch.

Kit Kolington

Thought he has a family? They are the ones that should be supporting him in court, not all these senseless senators. Saraki will continue to ridicule all our institutions because of his personal greed and ambition. I hope one of these senators will wake up from his dumbness, be bold enough to rise above politics and do what is right on the floor of the hallow chamber.

Ayo

They do not see beyond selfish interest. To them the country belongs to their greedy fellows not the people they swore to represent under oath.

EduMainMan1/Stuttsgat

Your Commander n Thief is only Seeing Through Religio-Ethnic Interest

Ayo

that’s from a warped cerebral, seriously you need a treatment.

vic

I CAN HELP WITH THE TREATMENT. SEND HIM TO ME.

Ajayi olupono

Nigerians , should at least , recognize the courage of Danladi Umar , for telling the idle Senators to start doing their primary jobs which is to legislate in the interests of Nigeria !

Ajayi olupono

When will the senate stop embarassing the whole nation by consistently identifying with a manifest criminal ? Must you all be educated by the CCT on what is supposed to be your main job ?

EduMainMan1/Stuttsgat

Mumuhari was going to Court with Consortium of Lawyers to Defend NEPA Bill Certificate
Hypocrisy is a Huge Vice

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Izonebi

una don start?

nigeriamail2

If Nigerians don’t see the nonsense these senators accompanying Saraki to trial are putting Nigerians through, then all hope is gone.

How on earth are these guys and woman explaining their absence from duty to come to court daily in support of a glaringly suspect Saraki? Perception is very important for an office of the Senate President! This man should hang his head in shame and the senators that betray their legislative duty to support him need to be recalled by their constituents for dereliction of duty.
These people have no shame and no ethical boundaries from their behaviour. They have suspect moral legs and the good people of Nigeria should not shy away from calling them to account. Enough is enough.

By the way, has anyone seen the work started by the so called Pyrates Confraternity in seeking politicians accountability in office? If you have not, please do. These young men have started something and should be applauded for a change. I checked out their link on http://www.ourvotescount.org.ng after I heard their radio jingle. Well done NAS Pyrates.

Ify Onabu

Do they have shame, the so-called Senators?

vic

BIG NO!!

FirecloudOFGOD

“Umar consequently asked them to stay back at the Senate and conduct their constitutional duties.”
Thanks Umar.
Nigerians are paying these expensive Senators for loitering!

John

since saraki has settled them with juicy chairmanship position, they have to pay back. getting rid of saraki will mean a loss from their positions. I agree that it is selfishness that is their bane

efeson

The shameful senators going with their corrupt president as body gaurds to the court leaving their legislative responsibility can only be seen in Nigeria for the fact that these people are representing nobody but themselves.These are people who under normal conditions should be down playing to avoid public humiliation .What a shame?

vic

IT SHOWS, THEY ARE BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER- A GROUP OF THIEVES AND SHAMELESS LOOTERS.

truth is bitter

A shameful solidarity for leaving their constitutional duties to become body guards to an accused facing a due process of trial. They should be more loyal to a nation they have sworn to serve and not him. The buzy body senators need to be cautioned by their respective constituencies because that is not representation of the people that voted them. However, their presences can not intimidate the CCT

nuelsymbol

The Govt instruction was that nobody should buy more one Property ,how come about that Saraki bought three? Apparently those in charge had corruptly floated the Govt Instruction .They would not have floated the instruction for nothing .They all deserve query and this should equally receive the attention of the CCT.

omo56

Fulani herdsmen are killing people all over the country even in states that these senators represent. Yet not a single one of them has come out to condemn the herdsmen. Yet they have time to accompany Saraki to court

Baba Guarantor

Shame on to the selected looters ! ! !

lookolook

“The Senate is not on trial. The senators should sit down and do their
work. They don’t need to be here. It is shameful and disgrace to the
nation”.

About time someone told the “jobless” so-called Senators the bitter truth. Their behavior has been utterly disgusting!

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Francesca Leigh

“I feel amazing inside and out.Before i was 179lbs and after using the weight loss spell from Dr Gory Kirara,i have dropped down to 138lbs in 4 weeks and still shedding. Thank you!”and i also recommended my colleagues for other spell and he is a very perfect spell caster and they are also satisfy with his performance,he is just absolutely miraculous.Since am happy and i will want the world to be a happier place for all,incase u can contact him as well if need be @ http://www.castspelloutsolution.com/

A Big thanks to Justice Umar, these Senates are full of craps, they should not be paid for all the days they came to court to support their Master.

Omooba A

The judge is doing these senators favor by asking them to stay away from the proceedings. By now, someone in the constituents of those senators are watching every move they make and he or she is already to send those involved in this shameless act packing come next election. The foolish acts of these senators are campaign materials. Could any sane person leave their personal or government job to support an accused person for crimes they did not know when it was committed? This type of blind trust is associated with kids and not grown ups. These senators may also be attending the CCT to prepare themselves for when their case is up.